"Just who the hell is… the Enigma?" the blue masked figure muttered in a low voice. She paused, thinking for a moment, then reached into her robes and pulled out a deep green plaque.
On the plaque was a sigil. It bore the carved image of a triangle with an eye in the center, its lines sharp and foreboding.
Her eyes softened with reverence as she gazed at it, then she spoke into the plaque with hushed intensity.
"Master, you were right. The moment you warned me about the aura change, I went on alert. It turns out the maid's body was taken over by someone who calls himself the Enigma." She repeated Modret's parting words carefully, her tone filled with concern.
The surroundings fell into silence. Then, after a heavy pause, a faint genderless voice drifted out from the plaque, calm and commanding.
"I see. I will send two more blue masked servants to accompany you. You must succeed in your mission. We, the Illuminati, will inevitably succeed in controlling the world."
"Since this assassination attempt has failed, we will proceed with phase two of our plans. I will inform the others at the headquarters of the Axarel household."
When the voice faded, the oppressive silence returned. The blue masked lady turned, her cloak swaying faintly in the air.
In the blink of an eye, her figure shot forward, crossing an astonishing distance. For now, she had only one goal: to hide herself from plain sight, to stay far away from… the Enigma.
…
After severing his connection to the shadow servant, Modret frowned, his mind lingering on what had just occurred.
'The voice of that woman did not sound like my aunt. But voices can be disguised. The real question is how she discovered my identity.'
The thought dug at him, but no answer came. He shifted his gaze to the fairy that hovered quietly by his side, her wings shimmering faintly like fragments of moonlight.
"The plan failed. I wasn't able to uncover who exactly is targeting me," he murmured, shaking his head lightly.
The fairy floated upward, scattering a drizzle of starlight that flickered gently in the room. After a few moments she settled softly on Modret's arm, her delicate figure glowing like a lantern in the dusk.
{Perhaps she possesses a detection-type ability, one that allows her to sense if someone is truly alive or being possessed.}
'There's really an ability like that?' Modret's eyes widened with disbelief.
The fairy nodded with certainty.
{Of course. You cannot base your knowledge on what you knew back on Earth. This is an entirely different world, one filled with countless abilities. Some are so powerful they can drag a person into despair. A detection-type ability is far from unusual here.}
Modret's brows furrowed as he thought deeply, realizing her words made sense. This was not some game or novel.
This was reality, a world far more ruthless than the stories he once knew. He drew a long breath, steadying himself, then moved to the bed.
"It seems I can no longer afford to take things lightly. Tomorrow, I will sneak into the forest to hunt wild beasts. With their deaths, I can gather more shadow fragments and awaken."
The fairy tilted her head, watching him, and Modret continued with a question that had been nagging at him.
"About what my mother said, that I'm too young to use mana… is that actually true?"
The fairy immediately nodded.
{Normally, you cannot access the mana within your body until you are around twelve years old. There are exceptions, but they are rare. Even so, you cannot expect your parents to risk your life for the sake of a rare possibility.}
Modret's hand brushed his nose. His voice was calm, but there was a flicker of worry in his tone. "Does that mean I am basically powerless right now?"
{Not at all. Completing the shadow fragments and spinning the roulette is a unique case. By acquiring an ability from it, you can cultivate that ability just as your mother cultivates hers, and without side effects.}
Modret's eyes shone instantly, a spark of excitement burning in them. To him, it sounded monstrous and incredible.
He clenched his fists, his resolve sharpening as he began planning his next steps.
"I have to complete my shadow fragments tomorrow, no matter what," he thought firmly. The weight of exhaustion then pulled at him, and he closed his eyes. His breathing slowed, and he drifted into slumber.
The fairy floated near him, her face carrying a complex expression. After a moment she sighed, lifting her gaze to the night sky.
"Please become strong enough before it descends…"
When her whisper faded, her small figure dissolved into fragments of starlight that seeped into Modret's body, disappearing completely.
…
The night passed quietly. A cool spring breeze slid across the land, rustling the branches softly, while silver moonlight stretched across rooftops and fields.
On the surface, it was peaceful, yet beneath that calm, unseen currents of danger stirred restlessly.
By the time dawn broke, two more blue masked figures had already infiltrated the village, arriving silently the previous night.
They blended perfectly into the lives of the townsfolk, some disguised as simple forest workers, others as quiet servants.
To the eyes of ordinary people, they looked like nothing more than harmless villagers, yet in truth they were awakened, powerful and cunning.
Morning arrived with a pale golden glow spilling across Modret's room. After finishing his breakfast, he gathered the things he needed.
His mother had already left after sending him off to classes, which gave him the freedom he desired.
Just as he prepared to leave, a figure stepped into his path.
"Young master," Axel said, bowing slightly.
Modret froze, surprised. He studied the boy for a moment, curiosity flickering in his gaze.
"Axel Devon, right?" Modret asked, glancing at him.
The boy's dark hair was slightly tousled, yet what stood out most were his eyes. They were a peculiar golden shade, gleaming like polished jewels.
They shone vividly against his thin, youthful face, lending him a quiet charm that made him appear more handsome than the average child. In fact, he looked almost on par with Modret himself.
"Yes, young master," Axel replied evenly. His jewel-like eyes met Modret's as he spoke. "What do you need me to do?"
The memory of the previous day was still fresh in Axel's mind. After returning home, he had told his father everything that had happened. His family's joy was overwhelming.
That was when he learned what it truly meant to be a life guard. To serve a noble was a position of great honor, almost equivalent to nobility itself.
His parents had been so proud that they threw a small feast in celebration. Yet Axel understood something his young age could not conceal: with such honor came responsibility.
Modret hesitated for a moment before asking, "Can you fight?"
He did not expect much. Axel was still a boy, just like him. To his surprise, Axel nodded confidently.
"For the past year, I have followed my father into the woods to hunt game. It is one of the ways we survive. I have also undergone knight training from him. According to Father, a man must learn how to protect himself." His voice was calm but respectful, carrying the weight of his upbringing.
Modret chuckled lightly, though inside he felt an awkward twinge.
'Is he implying I am the one who cannot protect himself?' Modret thought with mild exasperation. Still, the answer pleased him. He had once worried about wandering blindly into the forest, but now that burden seemed lifted.
"That is good. In that case, quietly gather your equipment. Do not alert anyone. We are heading into the woods to explore."
At this, Axel's eyes widened in alarm. "Young master, you mean…? What about classes?"
Modret rolled his eyes. He was a noble. Even if he skipped classes, the instructor would not dare scold him.
"Just do as I said. Do not ask too many questions, and do not keep me waiting."
Axel instantly closed his mouth, unwilling to offend Modret. With light, swift steps, he darted away toward his family's storage house.
Fortunately, his father should already be in the woods by now, which would make things simpler.